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117th We approach Rotary’s 117th birthday coming up on the 23rd in much the same way as we would our own birthdays–we take stock of where we’ve been, where we are now and where else we want to go.In retrospect, we see how far it has come in achieving its founder’s vision. Its impact on the world is hard to fully measure but the following are some of its most outstanding accomplishments: 1)It has set ethical standards and guiding principles that its members use in their personal and professional relationships. 2)Rotary helped influence the formation of the United Nations in 1945 to advance international understanding. 3)Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, its Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing,sustainable projects 4)Its members put in volunteer hours with an estimated value of $850 Million per year (as estimated by Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies). 5)As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9% since its first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. In keeping with President Elect’s theme of Imagine Rotary but with a twist–Imagine a world without Rotary. That void is unimaginable. This should be the most compelling argument why we need to future-proof the organisation.This is where we go on a prospective exercise. Where are we headed?Is it where we want to go? Given the direction that membership numbers are going particularly in Australia and New Zealand and assessing the risk based on its likelihood and impact, there needs to be a sense of urgency. We cannot expect a different outcome if we’re still going about things the same way.James P. Kotter is a thought leader in change. In an article he wrote on the Harvard Business Review–Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail, he identifies errors involving the lack of the following elements which result in failed efforts.1. Establishing a sense of urgency.2. Forming a powerful guiding coalition.3. Creating a vision.4. Communicating the vision.5. Empowering others to act and eliminating obstacles.6. Planning for and creating short-term wins.7. Consolidating improvements and producing still more change.8. Institutionalising new approaches.It is a thought-provoking read that we can all benefit from as we celebrate how far we have come as an organisation. Let’s identify our weaknesses and go about intentionally strengthening them to face more years to come Best Regards,Grace Grace Ramirez Manager, International Office and Financial Service |
Blast from the Past.
